Saturday, May 23, 2009

Don't be scared

I've been thinking today about why artists don't paint.Myself included. I've been painting in every availableinterval today -- just painting and painting. I may befuzzy in a million other directions, but I felt thatdelicious clarity about painting. I've beenworking on my commission and a couple of othersmaller works.

Today I got out into the garden for a while. I thoughtmy friend, Laurel Daniel in Texas would takethat sea of blue Forget-me-nots and translate theminto an amazing painting. But I have to rip them outbefore anything else can be planted. On the frontsteps we have pansies, which were nearly dead fromfrost when I bought them a couple of weeks ago. Nowwith water and a bit of tender loving care, they aregorgeous, especially the two purple blue pots, ofgiant deep yellow pansies on the red chair beside thedoor.

I brought some of the purple, white and mauve flowersin for bouquets for our bedside tablesand began a small painting. It could be that that'swhat warm weather gives us -- that clarity. Sitting on the backporch eating dinner tonight we saw a sight we'venever seen in the city -- a humming bird attendingto every floret on my neighbour's pale mauve lilacbush. Steven and Sam and I watched it for about10 minutes. Maybe that's where the clarity comes from.

So my message to you is don't be afraid. Get out yourpaints and start something. It doesn't have to perfect,or great or even good -- it just has to be what you do.If you want to, ignore your worries, your bad thoughts,the people who don't understand you. Forget aboutneeding a special place, or the right time. Now isthe right time, and there will be another right timein another hour, and little by little the work willhappen. And if you're still scared to begin, writeme, and I'll send you some courage. I know youalways encourage me.

10 comments:

Such wise words, Barbara! And an absolutely gorgeous painting!! I love it.For years I was waiting for the right time, the right place, the right subject until at last I realized that was rubbish - excuses for being afraid of failing, if not only for laziness. And nowadays I really regret not having concentrated on painting much earlier, having wasted so much time on other things - who knows where I could be with it now. Having started painting on a regular daily basis was the best action I have taken in years!

I really know what you mean. When I was painting in watercolours I used to buy one sheet at a time! I couldn't allow myself more paper until I'd finished that sheet. Now because of the kind of work you do, I buy lots of canvasses at once, and enjoy the freedom that gives me. We can't go backwards, just like my dog Zoey, forward, forward, forward. I look at it this way. Aren't we lucky to be able to paint all the time now. Lots of people never get to that point.

Sometimes it is easy to start one's day with trepidation and fear of failure. The feeling must be stepped on and crushed like a bug! Not that I'm a psycho bug crusher you understand, but sometimes it proves necessary. Thanks for the award! It will help me crush the next negative mind bug.

This painting is so bright and cheery & reflective of the encouraging words in your post. Thank you, Barbara! We all need that reminder to stay positive and take advantage of our blessings. And the blessing of being able to paint full time is a great one!

I guess it's like cockroaches in the cereal. You can't just stand there and be magnanimous. Thank God I haven't had that problem. But fear is a bit like that. An ugly problem requiring quick action. And there's the answer. Action!

I admire your work so much, it's hard to imagine you ever experiencing a negative mind bug. I see you sitting in the stands with everyone holding posters of your amazing work. You are just too good. And you're so welcome.

Hi Laurel, I didn't see this comment until now,sorry. It has been a bit crazy here lately. Yes! That would be fun. Come and see me when you're nearby.The Forget-me-nots are a May flower,and are a weed, really. But so pretty. I'd like to see what you'd create.

Portrait Artist

I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you?
Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada.
Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!

I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission or purchase one of my paintings contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!